Level



April 17, 1945. P. 1.. ACKERSON LEVEL Filed March 6, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet1 Percy L Ackerson ir and April 17, 1945. P. L. ACKERSON 2,373,641

LEVEL Filed March 6, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet Frq? l flckersaw Patented Apr.17, 1945 UN lTE- D I STATES PATEN OFFICE V 4 I I 2,373,641 I LEVEL PercyL. Ackerson, C'ohasset, Mass. Application March 6,1943, Serial No.478,288

2 Claims. ('01. 33-214) My invention relates to improvements in levels,such as those used by ship builders, ship fitters, pipe fitters,machinists, and all other trades that build any object of declivity, andthe object is to provide a tool so constructed that it may be used forlocating unknown points in a strict horizontal or vertical alinementwith certain known points.

With this general object in view, the invention resides in certain novelfeatures of construction to be hereinafter fully described and claimed,the descriptive matter being supplemented by the accompanying drawingswhich constitute a part of the application and in which, the declivityshoe, is attached to a spirit level with a special hinge and amicrometer screw adjustment and lock nut, to be used in the building ofships or boats or any object that is built on declivity.

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a level constructed inaccordance with the present invention, showing the adjustable base orshoe in lowered position. I

Figure 2 is a side elevational view, showing the base or shoe in closedposition.

Figure 3, is a cross sectional view, taken substantially on the line 33of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view, taken substantially on the line 4-4of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the pivoted end portion of the base. vFigure 6' is a fragmentary view in vertical longitudinal section throughthe portion of the instrument which includes the adjusting means.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that theembodiment of the invention which 'has been illustrated comprises a beamI of suitable material and dimensions. The beam I has mounted therein aplurality of bubble tubes 2. In its lower edge the beam I has formed, inone end portion, a recess 3. A metallic pin 4 traverses the recess 3.-The loweredge of the beam I is further provided with a longitudinalgroove 5 which communicates, at one end, with the recess 3.

Mounted beneath the beam I is an adjustable supporting base 6. The base6 is provided, on one end, with .an integral, upstanding apertured ear Iwhich is journaled on the pin 4 inthe recess 3. The base-6 furtherincludes a longitudinal rib 8 which seats in the groove 5 when said baseis in closed position beneath the'beam I.

The beam I has formed in the end portion thereof which is'remote fromthe recess 3 an opening 9. Below the opening 9, the beam I also hasformed therein a slot I0. A vertical bore I I in the lower portion ofthe beam I communicates with the opening 9, the slot I0 and the groove5. An opening I2 in the upper portion of the beam I communicates withthe opening 9, said opening I2 being vertically aligned with the bore II.

.A threaded rod I4 is operable in the bore II. The rod I4 is connected,at its lower end, to the base 6 by a pin and slot connection I5. Atubular adjusting nut I6 is threadedly mounted on the rod I 4 in theopening 9. A lock nut I1 is mounted 6, as seen in Figure 1 of thedrawings, the nuts 4 I6 and Il are rotated in a direction to feed therod I4 downwardly thereby swinging said base away from the beam I. Whenthe desired adjustment of the base 6 has been made the lock nut I1 istightened against either the upper or the lower wall of the slot Ill.The opening I2 accommodates the upper end portion of the rod I4 when thebase 6 is in closed position, as shown to advantage in Figure 6 of thedrawings.

. This tool is designed so that it can be used as any ordinary levelwhen declivity shoe is back in recess of level. Being made, thus, so anytradesman will not have to have but one level at his work. Figure 1 willshow thatif it is turned to opposite side of level that has declivityshoe set, he will be able to use level in ordinary way.

It is believed that the many advantages of a level constructed inaccordance with the present invention will be readily understood, andalthough a preferred embodiment of the device is as illustrated anddescribed, it is to be understood that changes in the details ofconstruction and in the having a slot therein beneath the opening, a

threaded rod pivotally connected to the free end portion of the base andoperable in the opening and slot, a tubular adjusting nut on the basethreadedly mounted on said rod and operable in the opening, and adisk-like lock nut threadedly mounted on the rod in theslot andengageable with certain of the walls thereof for securing the base inadjusted position.

2-. A spirit level comprising a beam having a recess in its lower edgein one end portion and further having a longitudinal groove in saidlower edge communicating with said recess, a pin traversing the recess,a longitudinal supporting base beneath the beam, said base comprising anelongated flat plate of a width similar to that of the beam andincluding an upstanding apertured ear on one end journaledon the pin inthe recess, said base further including an upstanding centrallongitudinal rib snugly engageable in the groove, means carried by theother end portion of the beam and including an adjusting screw pivotallyand slidably connected to the base for pivotally adjusting the basetoward or away from the beam, and bubble tubes mounted on said beam.

PERCY L. ACKERSON.

